Watt Watchers

1. Enrollment Form-Spring03 NL Date: ________
Watt Watchers of Texas
1-888-US WATTS (1-888-879-2887)
P.O.Box 68660, El Paso, Texas 79968 Fax: 1-888-879-2887
e-mail: watts@utep.edu
http://wattwatchers.utep.edu
Your Name: _________________________________________________
The Newsletter for Watt Watchers and Watteam.
Now incorporating WATTimes and the Texas School Energy Manager News.
Spring 2003
School Name: _______________________________________________
School Address: _____________________________________________
(Free kit will be shipped to your school / Street address preferred) Published Quarterly by The Energy Center, The University of Texas at El Paso
City: ______________________ Zip: _____ - ____ County: ______
Sponsored by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - State Energy Conservation Office,
and the United States Department of Energy
School Phone: ( ) ____ - ______ School Fax: ( ) ____ - ______ Volume 7 Number 1
Best Time to Call: _______ Number of Students in your school: ______
Name of School District: ______________________________________ State Comptroller lauds local school’s efforts to save energy
By: Brian Williams
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
When someone says “lights out” at With the state facing an almost $10 billion projected
Hutchinson Junior High, it’s for a good reason. shortfall, Strayhorn has recommended to legislators $3.7
On Friday, the Central Lubbock billion in savings, including $1.7 billion in state general
School’s conservation efforts attracted the revenue funds for the upcoming two-year budget. Texas’
attention of State Comptroller Carole Keeton budget must be balanced, according to the state
Strayhorn, a person with passions for constitution.
education and for saving money. Suggestions include in creasing health-care costs to state
Strayhorn helped recognize students employees, having Texas join a multistate lottery, merging
for their energy-saving efforts. the Texas Railroad Com mission and the Public Utility
The school is involved in Watt Commission, postponing a Medicaid registration rule and
Watchers, a program encouraging students having private companies operate a lodge in the Davis
Remember: and staff to turn off lights and computers in Mountains and a tourist railroad in East Texas, both
• Screen Savers DO NOT save energy! rooms that aren’t being used. overseen by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
• Energy Star® features may not be enabled! The 800-student school has cut its utility Strayhorn said more education dollars should go directly
• A typical monitor uses 60-90 watts costs about 12 percent, which is estimated to into the classroom.
• While in SLEEP mode, it uses 2-10 watts save $6,000 for the school year, said “What you are doing here is very significant,” Strayhorn
• Save energy, save money, prevent pollution Hutchinson Principal Mike Bustillos. said Friday at Hutchinson. “You are really protecting the
• Use EZ Wizard and EZ Save programs “There’s a lot of money spent on utilities future for future generations. We just need to let you be the
• Turn off your monitor at night overall,” Bustillos said. “If we don’t make a conservation effort, it’s easy role model and the pacesetter for the rest of the state.”
• All in a days rest for things to be left on unnecessarily.” Watt Watchers is a state-sponsored program to help school
• More information: http://www.energystar.gov/powermanagement The school also has a paper recycling program and has districts save energy funds, primarily by having students look for energy
increased use of paperless communications. Bustillos said Hutchinson waste in the halls and classrooms, especially with lights being left on.
has 70 percent of its allotment for paper and copier use remaining Strayhorn said the 2001 Legislature left 75 percent of Strayhorn’s
with less than half the school year left. cost-saving recommendations on the table; however, she said she
Watt Watchers of Texas He said the efforts are squeezing more out of a tight education believes lawmakers this time around will be more receptive to cost-
dollar. saving advice from her and others.
Strayhorn, a former schoolteacher, is a strong proponent of belt- bwilliams@lubbockonline.com 766-8719
tightening.
The Energy Center
University of Texas at El Paso Watt Watchers Hits the West Coast With Incredible Success
P.O. Box 68660
By: Amy Tingley
El Paso, Texas 79968
Things really are bigger in Texas. Our Watt Watchers of Texas
program is so big it reaches all the way to Salem, Oregon. Sometimes it is hard to determine just
When one considers what they would regard as far northwest where Texas ends
Texas, I wonder if Salem, Oregon would come to mind. Probably not.
However, Salem Keizer Public Schools in Salem, Oregon, are so active
in the Watt Watchers programs sometimes it is difficult to think of them WATTS INSIDE
Please Route: TO: as being anywhere else. A couple of years ago, a spin-off program
called Watt Watchers of America was developed and over the last
Watts Across Texas...........2
year Oregon has built a road right into Texas. News ............................... 3
o Science Chair
When Watt Watchers of America began, the program was
o Student Council “Ed”itorial Part 2..............4
funded by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 which
o Librarian includes Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The Activities...........................6
o Energy Manager America version was created as a pilot for what will hopefully become
a National program encompassing the entire United States. West Coast WW cont.........7
Since our Texas schools were doing so well with Watt Watchers
Energy Classroom Ideas.....8
it was obvious that there was a need all over the U.S. for such a program
to teach today’s students about the importance of being energy Pull Out Posters ..........9-12
efficient. Once the program was up and running, enrollments from all
over the world came into the Watt Watchers office. We have Watt Earth Day 2003...............14
Spring 2003 Watchers in New York, California, Washington, Georgia, New Jersey,
Oregon, Spain and Honduras. Though the pilot America program
Preserve your Kit.............15
ended in May of 2002, many of our Watt Watchers still remain active Energy Managers.......16-17
http://wattwatchers.utep.edu with continued support from our web sites and by keeping track of
what our original program, Watt Watchers of Texas, has going on. Program News...........18-19
1-888-US WATTS continued on page 7...
and America begins... Enrollment Form..............20

2. 2 19
WATTS ACROSS TEXAS Watt’s Happening at Lincoln Jr. High?
PROGRAM NEWS
Written by: Ashley Webb, 2002-2003 Vice
President, Lincoln Jr. High Student Council These members go around our school When the Life Skills class goes out on
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
The Student Council of Lincoln Jr. High
campus every Monday, Wednesday, and duty, they take a clipboard with all the for watching WATTS in Texas
Friday to check each teacher’s room for any teachers’ names and mark if they had the
in Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD decided to let lights that are on if the teacher is not in the room lights on or off. This way they can find a pattern
Schools!
the Life Skills class help them out by doing Watt at the time. in the amount of teachers that do or don’t leave
Watchers. When they found out that they would It is the end of another school year and it is time for Watt
They may do the lights on while out of the room. So far, they
get to help the Student Council, the kids were Watchers to thank all the students and sponsors for Watching
this any period have found that the majority of the teachers
so excited and wanted to start on it right away. Watts in Texas Schools! To show how much we appreciate
of the day, just on our campus leave the lights on but some
your hard work we have available to all our students and
whenever they do not.
They made hats out of recycled sponsors a Certificate of Appreciation. These certificates
have the time
newspaper and decorated them all up. Each can be viewed on the web site (http://wattwatchers.utep.edu)
to go out. If the Ms. Bain said that she wanted her Life
of the hats has a Texas flag light bulb on the and you can contact us at 1-888-USWATTS to receive your
teacher is not Skills class to do an on-campus community
side of it and the kids decorated them with certificates.
in his/her project for the school, so when we went to ask
markers and crayons. They also have special room and the if they would like to do this, she and all her
pencils that they take along with them while on We also want to acknowledge those teachers and
Watt Watchers students were so happy.
duty. The pencils have a light bulb for an eraser classrooms that consistently remembered to turn off their
catch them
and they say “Watt Watchers” on them. A lights when leaving the room with our very own “Zero Hero”
with the lights The Life Skills students of Lincoln Jr.
nametag with the name of the student is worn Award. This award will be available on the web to download
on, they leave High love their job as Watt Watchers and
each time a trip is made around the school to or contact the Watt Watcher Office at 1-888-USWATTS and
a ticket on this always want to do it. We, as Student Council
check the rooms of the teachers. we send your certificate to you.
teacher’s members, are so glad that we came up with
door. If the Watcher patrol hats are left toWatt
Getting ready to make their
right:
the idea of letting the Life Skills class help us
The students that are doing Watt We have had another INCREDIBLE year here at the Watt
teacher is out Krystal Fagan, Donte Wyatt
out with some of our projects. The Student
Watchers are Erin Boyce, Erica Dewalt, Watcher Headquarters and we have all of you to thank for
of the room Council is also happy that they love their job
Martha Smith, Krystal Fagan, Amy Grisham, our continued success!
and the lights are out, they are given a thank and are doing such a great job at it.
Jamarcus Reece, Matt Ferrell, and Donte you note. When the teacher is in their room,
Wyatt. the lights are allowed to be on without getting
a ticket from the Watt Watchers.
Sometimes the teachers and coaches Attention : The following
joke around with the students of Watt Watchers
school districts have enrolled or
Zero Hero Award
and ask how much the ticket is for leaving the
are in the process of enrolling
lights on while out of the class. When they do
their entire school district in the
this, the students get really excited. The Watt
Watt Watchers program!
Watchers of our school just love to go out and
Energy Managers - Call Watt
do this. If their teachers, Ms. Cathy Bain, Mrs. Is Presented to: Watchers today to enroll your
Margie Vanburkleo, or Mrs. Ethel Sanders,
entire district!
forget to turn them out, the students remind Watt Watcher Patrol getting ready to go out
from left to right: Erica DeWalt, Donte Wyatt, Allen ISD
Coach John Housman receives his thank you from them that they need to and they do.
Martha Smith, Krystal Fagan, Erin Boyce and Arlington ISD
Watt Watchers patrol Donte Wyatt and Matt Ferrell teacher Cathy Bain. Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD
Cedar Hill ISD
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
Our Classroom remembered to turn out the lights more than any other classroom in our school. We Dallas ISD
helped save money for our campus and district and hope to save our planet. Galena Park ISD
Pasadena ISD
Round Rock ISD
United ISD
Sponsor Watt Watchers of Texas
National Solar Energy Conference
June 21-26, 2003 A Watt Watchers Farewell
Presented by the American Solar Energy Society
A former Watt Watcher returns to the Vickie’s passion for teaching
classroom, and what a lesson she has for illuminates once again. Though she is missed
You’ll want to attend! them. here, we know she is lighting the minds of her
Register online at www.ases.org Vickie Gomez, recently a Program students daily, as an educator and as a Watt
Call Watt Watchers for more information 1-888-USWATTS Coordinator for Watt Watchers and to whom Watcher. Now that Vickie is around, you can
we previously referred to as our “road warrior,” bet there will not be a wasted watt throughout
turned in her famous eyeball stickers and she Lee Elementary in El Paso, Texas.
Teachers attend this great Energy for Teachers workshop presented by Watt Watchers
headed back to the classroom. She came to
Saturday, June 21, 1:30 – 5:30 pm ($15) Watt Watchers as a retired teacher with an Stay tuned for more on Lee
Education materials available from the Texas State Energy Conservation Office will be presented through hands-on activities contained electric spirit that lit up the Watt Watchers Elementary’s Watt Watchers program!
within them. Teachers will experience the award winning Infinite Power of Texas Lesson Plans and Fact Sheets that are available for FREE! program. Her love for students and her passion
These lesson plans were developed by a team of professional educators and renewable energy experts, using information from the fact for teaching fused with Watt Watchers perfectly.
sheets as a starting point for building knowledge. Teachers will also learn about the Knowledge is Power Energy Efficiency Curriculum Vickie took our program on the road to
Supplement for K-8 grades. Knowledge is Power provides teachers with experiential lessons that teach the importance of energy efficiency many conferences; you might remember her
in our homes and schools. All of the materials are correlated to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This session will also handing out those crazy eyeball stickers
include information about the U.S. Department of Energy’s Junior Solar Sprint Program, which is a classroom based, hands-on educational saying, “Here, have an eyeball. It will remind Victoria Gomez...
program for 6 - 8 grade students. JSS student teams apply math, science, and creativity to construct model solar-powered cars and race you to watch watts.” She would fluoresce with a true Watt Watcher for life.
them in interscholastic competitions hosted within their schools or within their states or regions. Each participant will receive the 25 Infinite the reaction of those with whom she spoke as
Power Fact Sheets and accompanying Lesson Plans; the Knowledge is Power curriculum supplement; and JSS information packet. she would explain how Watt Watchers worked.
Continuing Education Credit certificate also provided.

3. 18 3
WATT WATCHERS THE TRANSMISSION LINE
What’s new on the Energy Encounters! Opinion/Editorial
From: Texas State Comptroller
the central unit do its job. Are you using an old
stove for something that can be reheated in a E
WIR
web? Attention High School Students, Teachers, Carole Keeton Strayhorn more energy efficient microwave? Taking a look HE
Energy Managers, Student Councils, and at your every day energy use may help you find FFT
We’ve had some early blasts of winter TO
Watt Watchers would like to apologize Science Clubs: new ways to save energy and that means saving HO
for the inconvenience of having our enrollment Energy Encounters... in Texas and the U.S. Energy Information money. WS
Administration expects a winter price Saving energy isn’t limited to adults. As NE
form temporarily out-of-order. We are in the Coming to a school near YOU!
process of correcting the problem and we increase for homes heated with natural gas, one tough Grandma watching out for Texas, I
hope to have the form up and running in no Houston area schools propane and electricity. Unless you’re using want to help your school get tough on energy
time at all. In the meantime, there are a couple April 5th at Pearland 9th Grade Center solar energy or wind power, this affects you. savings. SECO’s Watt Watchers program
of alternatives to our on-line form: our Contact Kirstin for more information To keep those bills from rising, energy involves students in energy efficiency, promotes
enrollment form is available on-line in a PDF 1-888-928-8326 savings will be necessary. An arm of the Texas activities that instill an energy efficient ethic in
format at http://wattwatchers.utep.edu/Assets/ Austin, San Antonio, Rio Grande Valley area Comptroller’s office, The State Energy all aspects of school operation, and educates
Enrollment_Form.pdf just fax the completed High Schools we are looking for hosts in your Conservation Office (SECO) is the state our future leaders about energy issues.
form toll-free to 1-888-US Watts or email us area. If you are interested in hosting an agency charged with helping Texans use Student Watt Watcher teams in over
at watts@utep.edu. Or, just call us at 1-888 Energy Encounter at your school please energy more efficiently. While SECO works 2000 Texas schools patrol assigned areas of
US WATTS and we will take your information contact Kirstin for more information. primarily with cities, school districts and state their schools, checking for lights on in
over the phone. agencies to create ways to save your tax unoccupied rooms. “Tickets” and thank you
dollars through more efficient energy use, it’s notes are left for the occupants to remind them
energy saving guidelines can help you and
Don’t forget to check out our web site
to download the great activities listed in our
Sneak Peak! your family save energy and dollars in your
to turn off the lights when they are not needed.
And lighting accounts for 25 to 40% of energy
Energy Education section on pages 8 and 13. home or business as well. use in schools. This is a proven method of
There are also activities posted on our web You may be thinking energy savings promoting energy conservation habits and
site for Earth Day. Check it out today! means sitting in a cold house with the lights reducing school energy bills. Our energy future Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham
turned off. Turning off lights not in use and depends on decisions students will make about said in January it should be cost-effective to
If you have photos of your Watt turning the thermostat down while you aren’t energy use. Ask about bringing the Watt produce hydrogen-fuel cars in large numbers
Watchers Patrol please email them to us at Our Summer 2003 issue of Watt’s News home obviously are good ideas and will help, Watchers program to your school. and have them in showrooms by 2020.
watts@utep.edu. We would love for all of Email Updates will be a change of pace. We are going to fo- but there are ways to save energy and money SECO is helping state agencies, cities, The cars could reduce U.S. demand
Texas to see how your patrols operate. cus on providing information pertinent to ad- without sacrifice. and school districts save money, but these for foreign oil by 11 million barrels per day by
Do you receive the Watt Watchers I know it sounds like losing weight
ministrators, facilities personnel, and of course, energy savings principles can help you and 2040, according to the Energy Department.
monthly email update? If not, email without diet and exercise, but the leading force
our friends - energy managers. every hard working Texan keep more of your But even with aggressive research, a
us at watts@utep.edu and we will in increasing energy efficiency is technology. hard earned money in your pockets. For state hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle would not be better
add you to our list of 1,600 other And keeping up with technology can not only
The Summer ‘03 issue will have spot- agencies we are projecting a 15-20% savings than a diesel hybrid in terms of total energy
participants who receive our up-to- dampen your heating bills, but also ease the
light articles from districts all around the state in energy costs if energy savings plans are use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020,
date program information. pain of those scorching electric bills that arrive
as well as a highlight for Arlington ISD and their implemented. I hope these suggestions help the study said.
plans to incorporate Watt Watchers district- with the onset of summer air conditioning. you save money as well. Technology is That’s because virtually all industrial
wide. Heating and air conditioning everywhere, and it is helping energy efficiency hydrogen supply at the moment comes from
equipment purchased and installed 15 years and that helps the environment. natural gas. In the future, analysts say, large
ago may use twice the electricity of today’s By using less electricity, our power plants amounts of hydrogen will be separated from
energy efficient equipment. This means you burn less fuel and produce fewer emissions. This water, where it bonds with oxygen, through the
can make up for the cost of a new unit with means that your energy savings not only helps use of alternative energies like wind and solar
“Saving Energy in Texas schools.” lower utility bills, and with twice the efficiency
those savings come sooner rather than later.
you keep those winter and summer light bills
down, it helps make Texas air cleaner. Now
power. But for now, the green method of
making hydrogen is too expensive, according
Since heating and cooling unit that’s a win, win situation. to the study.
manufacturers are now required to provide “If we learn how to do it, I think that’s
information about the energy efficiency of their For more information on SECO and energy absolutely wonderful, but I wouldn’t hold my
products, take a little extra time and ask about saving tips for your family or business, visit: breath,” said Malcolm Weiss, a researcher
the unit’s energy use. Remember, a few extra http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us and http:// with MIT’s Laboratory for Energy and
dollars for a more energy efficient heater/air Environment. “Ignoring the emissions and
The New Watt conditioner can save you much more money
www.texasenergypartnership.org
energy use involved in making and delivering
in the long run. Similar improvements have the fuel and manufacturing the vehicle gives a
Watchers CD is Here! also occurred in portable units. And if your old Study finds hybrid cars greener misleading impression,” he said.
air conditioner breaks on the hottest day of Beyond 2020, hydrogen cars will win
This new CD-Rom has the entire Watt July (they always do), it might actually be
than hydrogen cars
out, predicted the researchers, who do not
cheaper to buy a new one rather than fixing By Reuters
Watchers program on it including the new recommend stopping work on the hydrogen
Knowledge is Power curriculum supplements! an old energy deficient dinosaur. fuel cell. “If auto systems with significantly
And speaking of technology’s aid in NEW YORK — Hybrid cars, which
Also, the CD includes The Infinite Power of lower greenhouse gas emissions are required
your quest for energy savings, use the Internet combine electric motors with small petroleum
Texas lesson plans and Dan Rather video. in, say, 30 to 50 years, hydrogen is the only
before you go shopping. SECO’s web page engines, will outpace the environmental benefits
There is more information on the CD than there major fuel option identified to date,” said John
(http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us) contains a of hydrogen fuel cell cars until at least 2020,
is space on this page to tell you all about it. Heywood, an MIT researcher.
host of energy saving ideas and helpful links according to a university study.
So, if you are already enrolled in Watt That hydrogen would have to be
that will help you find the energy ratings of all Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles have low
Watchers all you have to do is just watch for produced without making greenhouse gas
sorts of products for home and office. And emissions and energy use on the road, but
this in the mail. However, if you are not yet emissions, through a noncarbon source such
don’t forget to look for the Energy Star logo converting a hydrocarbon fuel such as natural
enrolled in the Watt Watchers program… enroll as solar energy or from conventional fuels
on the products you buy. gas or gasoline into hydrogen to fuel such
today and receive your CD with your new kit. while sequestering the carbon emissions
Simple common sense can save vehicles uses substantial energy and emits
Call 1-888 US WATTS and provide us with your underground.
energy and money as well. If you and your greenhouse gases, the study said.
information so we can enroll you today! So far, Japan’s Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
coworkers are trying to warm up your office The Massachusetts Institute of
and Toyota Motor Corp. are the leading
with inefficient space heaters you may be Technology study was published after the Bush
makers of hybrid automobiles. Hybrids have
making that cold office even worse and administration announced in January an
fossil fuel engines that work alternatively or in
wasting energy at the same time. If your space initiative to develop hydrogen fuel cells.
concert with electric motors to reduce smog
“Every school should be a heater is near the thermostat, the heating/ Combined with last year’s government-industry
“Freedom Car” program to build vehicles fueled
emissions and increase fuel economy, without
cooling system may not be working for ever having to be plugged in.
Watt Watchers school.” everyone else so more people have to use by hydrogen, the initiative will be powered by
$1.2 billion in government funds.
those inefficient appliances rather than letting Source: Reuters

4. 4 17
THE “ED”-ITORIAL Manager News
By: Ed Gonzalez
Starting a Paper Waste Reduction Program
The following steps will ensure a strong, In the plan, recommendations to teachers, c. Post Paper Reduction Reminders by
Printers and Copiers. Remind people
State Energy Conservation Office
“paper waste reduction program” in your students, and administrators regarding
TEXAS
Energy Efficiency
NEWS
school. As I mentioned earlier, there are many practices that will result with paper use to copy double-sided by posting
schools throughout the United States that reduction should be included. reminders near the copiers, using Workshops for Public Facilities
already have such a program in place, and c. Make Necessary Adjustments. In every interesting posters or entertaining Energy Systems Associates, Inc. is pleased to offer two concurrent workshops for you and your staff, provided by the State Energy
with great success. So follow these steps if program, adjustments are always made. If slogans (“2 sides are better than one,” Conservation Office (SECO), Comptroller of Public Accounts and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
you would like to start an effective, successful you and your green team need to adjust “make a 2 (copies) for 1 (page) offer,”
program in your school: goals or the plan of action, do so. But make “get a second impression,” etc.) and Administration: Maintenance & Operations:
1. First Get Permission from your sure that the changes will improve the change them often to maintain interest. Financing & Master Planning Energy Efficiency Through Maintenance & Operations
Principal. Anytime you want to start a new program and not harm it. Setting Up the Energy Program “Repairing” the Maintenance Department
program in your school, the principle · Make the campaign complete with slogans Understanding Utility Bills and Deregulation Lighting Illuminations
6. Measuring Success. Every month,
should always be notified. Principals and a kick-off event. Include representatives Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air Quality
measure any reduction in paper use
control the resources in schools, and there from management and all levels of staff to
throughout the school. One good way to
may be a good chance that he/she will assist the green team launch the program. WORKSHOP CALENDAR
monitor success is by asking the
provide you with the necessary tools to purchasing individual whether there has · Encourage students to use both sides of April 10, 2003 Austin September, 2003 San Antonio
succeed in your proposed program. been a reduction in orders for paper reams writing paper, whenever possible; 9:00am-3:30pm J.J. Pickle Center 9:00am-3:30pm Date and Location to be announced
2. Select A Sponsor For your Program. By on a monthly basis. Ask your green team · If more than one child attends a school, 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78758 October, 2003 Midland
selecting a sponsor for your program, you to develop measuring tools that can gauge send home general information with only the May 6, 2003 Wichita Falls 9:00am-3:30pm Date and Location to be announced
will increase your chances of getting a buy- the success of your program. oldest child, to avoid duplication; 9:00am-3:30pm Region IX Educational Service Center November, 2003 El Paso
in from the faculty. Your sponsor, a teacher 7. Gain Recognition. Once you achieve your · Encourage teachers to conduct some 301 Loop 11 Wichita Falls, Texas 76306 9:00am-3:30pm Date and Location to be announced
that is interested in environmental goals or have registered significant lessons and student drills on blackboards June, 2003 San Angelo
protection, will assist you in implementing victories, make sure instead of on paper, when feasible; 9:00am-3:30pm Date and Location to be announced Final times, agendas and other location specific information will
the program throughout the school. everyone knows about · Route or post internal staff July, 2003 Amarillo be sent to registered participants approximately 2 weeks prior to
3. Build a Green Team. Once you have the successes of the communications. When practical, use half 9:00am-3:30pm Date and Location to be announced each workshop.
selected a sponsoring teacher and he/she program. Have the sheets of paper for memos;
has accepted, then the next step is principal publicly · Make double-sided copies. Provide Who Should Attend the M & O Workshop? Sponsored By:
building a “green team”. In your team, try congratulate you and scrap paper near the copier so that people Facility Directors responsible for maintenance and operation & the The Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office
to include the person who is in charge of your team and encourage can retrieve paper and copy onto the other maintenance staff and The U.S. Department of Energy These workshops are being
ordering and buying paper, a member of him/her to inform the side; Who Should Attend the Financing & Planning Workshop? provided by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) with funds
the administration, a member of the school district Administrators, Superintendents, Board Members, and Financial Directors from the U. S. Department of Energy.
· Encourage teachers/administrators to responsible for budgeting and financing for
custodial staff, other teachers, and other administration of the send information electronically. Use e-mail
students that are interested in the program. success of your work. facility upgrades, maintenance and operations department, equipment Contact Debra Brown with
for forms, document transmittals and faxes; replacement and major system renovation projects.
4. Begin a Paper Waste Audit. A paper 8. Continue Improving the Energy Systems Associates, Inc
waste audit is simply researching how Program. Continual · If applicable, reduce unwanted mail. Presenters of the Programs: phone: 512-258-0547 or email:
much your school spends on purchasing improvement is a Contact mail senders to take your school’s esa Energy Systems Associates, Inc., a Texas based professional dbrown.esa@sbcglobal.net.
paper, identifying every type of paper use cornerstone of any name off their mailing list or mark unwanted engineering firm with more than twenty years experience in the field of
throughout the school and how much successful waste first class mail “Refused, Return to Sender”; energy efficiency, will be presenting these workshops on behalf of the SECO
paper is used on a monthly basis (all reduction program. Don’t be satisfied with office. In addition to these workshops, members of this firm also present a
· Provide trays to collect and reuse one-sided workshop entitled Investment Grade Energy Audits for the Association of
types). Questions that you should consider your early successes. Constantly look for paper. Encourage employees to save and
when conducting the paper audit are: improvements and ways that you can Energy Engineers
reuse paper printed on only one side at
· Do we need this? reduce more paper use. Think of it as a their desks. Collect paper that has been
· Can we use less? cycle that never ends. printed on one side for reuse in copiers and
· Can we reuse it? By properly following these steps, and once fax machines. Also, use the one-sided
ENERGY STAR® Purchasing & Procurement
· Can we recycle it? your program is established and ready to go, By: Michelle Salisbury
paper to make scratch pads; • Product specifications for ENERGY STAR qualified
· Can we use it more efficiently? your green team should start seeing results ®
· Provide trays to collect and reuse ENERGY STAR makes it products.
5. Develop Your Paper Waste Reduction anywhere from the first month to the second.
envelopes and file folders. Encourage easy for organizations to purchase • Savings/Life-cycle cost calculators that show how much
Plan. It’s that fast. But remember, each step is
reuse of large envelopes and file folders energy-efficient products, reduce energy and money organizations can save by purchasing
a. Set Goals and Timeline. Once you have critical. If you skip any step, chances of your
by providing centrally located trays for their their energy costs, and prevent air ENERGY STAR qualified products
all the information regarding paper usage program being successful has significantly
collection. Your school office can buy pollution. ENERGY STAR • Drop-in procurement language that organizations can
in your school (how much it buys annually, decreased. And all that work you will do may
mailing labels with the return address and Purchasing encourages and assists incorporate into their purchasing policies
how much is used, what types of paper not yield the results that you and your green
logo to place over old addresses on governments, schools, and • Store locators and manufacturer contact information
are purchased, etc.), have the green team team expected. So make sure that you follow
envelopes to facilitate their reuse. Always businesses in procuring ENERGY For more information, participate in an ENERGY STAR
set some goals to reach. For instance, one all the steps.
encourage teachers and administrators to STAR qualified products. These products use 25 to 50 percent less energy Purchasing Internet presentation (http://www.energystar.gov/
goal can aim to reduce overall paper THINGS TO CONSIDER
first reuse items such as large envelopes than their traditional counterparts, reduce fossil fuel use, and lower index.cfm?c=business.bus_internet_presentations) or visit
usage by 10% in one year. Develop a When you and your green team begin
and file folders at their desk; greenhouse gas emissions. Institutions and businesses can save hundreds www.energystar.gov and click “Education” then “Purchasing &
timeline to ensure progress in your developing your Paper Waste Reduction Plan,
of thousands of dollars annually by purchasing and using ENERGY STAR Procurement.”
program and make sure that you and your keep the following ideas in mind: · Promote the routing of memos and qualified products.
green team stick to it. · Educate Teachers, Administrators and newsletters. Instead of making a copy for Five easy steps to procure ENERGY STAR qualified
More than 13,000 product models in over 35 product categories
b. Set Implementation Plan (Plan of Students on the Benefits of Paper each person, route one copy around the products
bear the ENERGY STAR. To qualify, these products must meet strict
Action). The green team should develop Reduction. school. Ask originators to send fewer 1. Review purchasing policies and identify product categories
guidelines for energy efficiency: Office Equipment, Heating & Cooling
a plan in which to make the program work. copies to your office; where savings exist.
Equipment, Lighting, Exit Signs, Windows, The benefits of purchasing
a. Let them know that their paper reduction 2. Visit www.energystar.gov for product listings. Use the Savings
ENERGY STAR qualified products are 1) reduced energy costs without
efforts not only save paper, but also · Practice preventive copier maintenance. Calculators to determine savings opportunities and life cycle
compromising quality or performance; 2) reduced air pollution because costs.
postage costs (from reduced mail Keep copiers and printers in good repair
fewer fossil fuels are burned; 3) significant return on investment; and 4) 3. Coordinate with the appropriate offices within your organization
volume), and storage space and make it policy to only buy copiers and
extended product life and decreased maintenance to encourage the purchase of identified ENERGY STAR qualified
requirements. All these savings add to printers that make reliable double-sided
The ENERGY STAR Purchasing Tools help organizations quickly and products.
a leaner, more efficient office that copies. Let your copier maintenance
easily identify, specify, and procure ENERGY STAR qualified products. 4. Modify procurement language and educate employees.
benefits everyone. person know when a copier is performing
To help purchasers, the ENERGY STAR Purchasing Tools also list products 5. Communicate your success.
poorly (toner is low, jams frequently, etc.).
b. Promote a “Think Before You Copy” considered energy-efficient but do not bear the ENERGY STAR. Available
Regular copier maintenance is important,
Attitude. Workers should be on-line at www.energystar.gov, the ENERGY STAR Purchasing Tools Michelle Salisbury is a Senior Analyst at the Cadmus Group, an
especially if the toner is low. Many times environmental consulting firm based in Watertown MA, which is under
encouraged to make sure they really includes many valuable resources:
copiers are used until all the toner is gone contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement
need the copies they are making and and promote ENERGY STAR. She can be contacted at 617-673-7153
not to make excess copies. continued on page 15... or msalisbury@cadmusgroup.com.